-- Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 15 insurgents yesterday after being attacked with small-arms fire in Kunar province’s Bar Kunar district. Troops were conducting a routine patrol in the district when they were attacked. They returned fire, killing several of the attackers. During the firefight, troops requested aviation support to repel the insurgents. Air weapons teams arrived and engaged the enemy fighters, killing at least 10. Initial estimates suggest more than 15 enemy fighters were killed.

-- Afghan and coalition detained several suspected insurgents yesterday in Khost province’s Sabari district while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network leader responsible for trafficking explosives to other terrorists to use against local security forces.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained four insurgents in Kandahar province’s Arghandab district. The suspects were found carrying 550 pounds of ammonium nitrate and 20 pounds of shrapnel. Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer banned by Afghanistan’s government because it can be used in the manufacture of homemade explosives.

In other news from Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents Feb. 9 in Helmand province’s Qualah district. They were searching for Haji Khalil, a Taliban leader responsible for planning bombing and indirect-fire attacks on local security forces. Tips from local residents led the combined patrol to Khalil’s alleged location, where they were met immediately by enemy fire. Coalition forces killed at least four enemy fighters and detained another.